Plant City sophomore wins photojournalism contest

A Plant City High sophomore’s photos and story about the Bing Rooming House took first place in a photojournalism contest sponsored by a nonprofit that helps preserve local history.

Jackson Hardee’s photos and story on the historic rooming house that’s now a museum were selected for the honor by a panel of judges. He won $100 as the top prize, said Gil Gott, executive director of the Plant City Photo Archives and History Center.

Plant City High senior Robby Knox won second place and $75 for his story and photos of Cornerstone Center, formerly the sanctuary of Plant City’s First Baptist Church, and junior Sydney Johnson took third place and $50 for her entry on The Corner Store in downtown Plant City.

The winning stories and photos will be on display until the end of the month at the photo archives’ exhibit gallery, 106 S. Evers St.

The contest, now in its fourth year, was open to all Plant City High students. The contestants were required to submit at least one photo and a 300- to 600-word story about what was depicted in the shots.

School College and Career Counselor Sherrie Mueller coordinated the contest, which was sponsored by Haught Funeral Home and the Plant City Observer.

Gott said the nonprofit holds the contest to encourage interest in local history. The organization was founded in 2000 to preserve the area’s heritage through photographs, stories and other documents.

The Plant City Photo Archives is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday or by appointment.